Democrats add Adam Taliaferro to Gloucester County Freeholder ticket

The Democrat ticket for Gloucester County Freeholder was officially filled Monday, when the party’s executive committee voted to add Woolwich Township’s Adam Taliaferro to the slate.

Taliaferro, 29, was one of seven candidates up to fill the slot on the ballot that was left open after four-term freeholder and the board’s deputy director Warren Wallace announced earlier this month that he would not seek re-election.

As the party’s newest freeholder candidate, Taliaferro will join Freeholder Heather Simmons, of Glassboro, and newcomer Lyman Barnes, of Logan Township, on the ballot and the campaign trail. The trio will face Republican candidates Mike Pantaleo, of Elk Township, Penni Heritage, of Harrison Township, and Barbara Capelli, of Wenonah.

“As much as a I will miss Dr. Wallace, Lyman and I will welcome Adam with open arms,” said Simmons, who was appointed to the freeholder board in January to replace then-freholder director Stephen M. Sweeney. Taliaferro “is talented and intelligent and inciteful, and he brings a focus on team work and perseverance, and a talent of working with people to accomplish tasks that others would think were impossible.”

The Voorhees native-turned Gloucester County resident has a history of overcoming the odds.

In 2000, Taliaferro gained national attention after suffering a paralyzing spinal cord injury while making a tackle for Penn State in a game against Ohio State.

After spinal fusion surgery, doctors said he would never walk again. He vowed to prove them wrong.

Now, he’s a practicing employment law and litigation attorney with Duane Morris, and heads the Adam Taliaferro Foundation that provides support for student athletes that have suffered catastrophic spinal cord and head injuries.

“I think Adam has a base of people who know him because of the work he has done in the high schools” said Simmons. “Adam is someone who does not accept defeat.”

Taliaferro could not be reached for comment.

Freeholder Director Robert Damminger said the party will work their hardest to make sure Taliaferro and the Democrat candidates will make it to the freeholder board.

“He’s an excellent young man, courageous, with a very compelling story,” Damminger said. "He’s looking forward to giving back to the community, and he’s very excited about running."